Is there somewhere I can check vinyl sound quality?

Easy - Japanese vinyl is the best. Concentrate on Japanese vinyl with the OBI or sash and you won't be disappointed. Pallas in Germany is ok too. As for the recordings the selves - well it is the same issue for digital - not everything is well mixed and mastered unfortunately.

Are you buying new or used? 

Its been my experience that most of the new 180 gram reissues are sorely lacking in sound quality compared to original pressings.  That's why I attend as many used records shows as possible and go to used records shops too.  To look for pristine originals.  Usually the condition of the album jacket will tell you if there is gold inside.  And if the owner took the time to keep the cellophane on and sliced the jacket open with a razor, chances are it wasn't played a cheap BSR changer with a ceramic cartridge.  And every now I then I find a sealed copy of an original pressing - these tend to be more common with releases from the early to mid 80's if there is music from that era that appeals to you.

Of course you can't go wrong with used Japanese pressings (my favorite for sound quality) and audiophile pressings and 1/2 speed master from Mobile Fidelity, Nautilus, CBS Master Works, etc.  These types of records were all usually bought from HiFi dealers and not available to the teenagers in the local record/head shop.

Part of the fun of vinyl is the hunt too.  Good luck!

blueram, one of the must-read sites for all things LP is Analog Planet. It is run by Michael Fremer of Stereophile magazine, and he has been writing about LP’s and the equipment to play them on for decades. He reviews lots of new release reissues, often comparing them to other pressings of the same title, including originals. Many of his older reviews are available for reading on the site.

Those guys over on the Steve Hoffman forum take their vinyl VERY seriously. Check there for discussion of any specific titles you are interested in.

Dave

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I am buying mostly new, it is hard to find old ones where I live and I like finding out new artists. Yes now I will try to avoid Back To Black, 4 Men With Beards, Plain Recordings and Legacy reissues, also Sub Pop, Jagjaguwar and Dead Oceans. But they do have some good ones, hence I think it would be a good idea if there is somewhere I can check the quality before I spend my money.

I will certainly check out Steve Hoffman. I have visited Analog Planet. But Michael Fremer’s taste of music and mine are too different. Most of the audiophile releases he reviewed are too expensive for me. However, I find it helpful when he reviews an album I listen to.